Leesburg To Make Trails Of Former Rails

Lake - In Brief

October 13, 2004

LEESBURG -- The City Commission has approved a master plan for the city's trails system, a program that turns abandoned railways into paths for walking, biking or skating.

The plan, approved Monday night, includes just more than 26 miles of planned and existing trails that officials hope will serve as links across the city and connect to nearby communities. The city paid a firm to develop the master plan and met several times to gather community input.

The project will be funded through a variety of sources including grants, private fund raising and city funds. The city has committed $200,000 a year for the next 10 years to help pay for trail development.